Ministry of Labour investigating construction outbreak as ‘essential’ building continues
Hamilton public health is managing at least four construction-related outbreaks as residential building, including renovations, and government-funded infrastructure projects continue during the province's enhanced" stay-at-home order.
An outbreak declared four weeks ago at 2126 Rymal Rd. E. is now up to 22 staff COVID-19 cases with at least some screening positive for a variant. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development confirmed that an inspector is investigating.
The City of Hamilton roads department also declared an outbreak last week after three staff tested positive at its 330 Wentworth St. N. site.
A total five staff contracted COVID-19 at two other construction outbreaks declared this week - three staff at Zzone Homes Inc., a Stoney Creek-based renovation business, and two at Flynn Canada Ltd., a commercial roofing and cladding company.
According to the province's latest workplace guidelines, non-essential construction including at malls, hotels and offices, was ordered to stop as of April 17.
Residential construction that has already started will continue as families are depending on these projects to put a roof over their heads," said Kalem McSween, a Ministry of Labour spokesperson, in an email.
Critical infrastructure building, such as new hospitals, roads and bridges, are essential in continuing our fight against this virus," he added.
The City of Hamilton has road improvement, sanitation work, a demolition and storm sewer projects underway, including major construction at the Highway 8 project, which began last week and is slated to run until December 2022.
Other essential construction includes renovations or expansions of spaces that could be used for health-care purposes, according to the guidelines.
With residential construction activity remaining open, residential renovations can continue, but not commercial ones.
Matthew Creary, a Hamilton-Niagara co-ordinator and manager at the Carpenters District Council of Ontario, said they stopped an exterior renovation their Stone Church Road office on Monday because they felt it fell under the definition of non-essential construction. But Creary says there are structural issues with the building's floor if left as is, and is seeking Ministry of Labour approval to resume renovations with safety protocols in place.
I find a lot of the stuff very confusing, from the Ontario government, to filter through," Creary said. Talking with employers, whether it's essential or not, they're having trouble sometimes deciphering what does this (mean) ... Nobody wants to be in violation."
According to the West End Home Builders' Association, residential renovations and construction can currently move ahead with strict safety protocols in place, said CEO Mike Collins-Williams.
My view ... is that if a construction company - be it one of our members or not - is not in compliance, they should be shut down," he said, adding that member companies are warned to be strict with implementing protocols. We tell our members every day that, today, we are an essential service. That doesn't mean we will be an essential service tomorrow."
Victoria Mancinelli, director of public relations at the Labourers' International Union of North America, said clear and timely communication is needed for shutting down construction sites, which are often complex to shut down.
If you're going to close the site, depending on the sector and the site, it's going to take some time to do it safely," she said.
About 1,300 construction sites will be targeted by more than 200 inspectors for workplace safety compliance checks, the province said last week.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, said her staff are reviewing Section 22 orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act that would temporarily close businesses with five or more COVID-19 cases, such as Toronto and Peel have done, but she says Hamilton has no plans to implement that yet.
Vjosa Isai is a reporter at The Spectator covering Hamilton-based business. Reach her via email: visai@thespec.com.